Join us May 20 for FutureFWD: A Celebration of Bold Ideas at UCalgary
Mark your calendar for FutureFWD—a showcase of innovation, research, and entrepreneurship at the University of Calgary. Throughout the day, you’ll hear from thought leaders, investors, and founders who are shaping the future.
Panel 1: Fuelling the Future – Investing in Innovation
Discover what it really takes to raise capital, navigate early-stage challenges, and grow a startup.
Panelists:
- Chris Edwards – Managing Partner, Tall Grass Ventures
- Peter Santosham – Executive Director, UCeed Investment Funds
- Abdullah Sarhan – CEO & Co-Founder, RetinaLogik
- Logan Skori, PhD – CEO & Co-Founder, AgGene
- Moderator: Raissa Espiritu, Executive-in-Residence, UCeed Investment Funds
Panel 2: From Lab to Market – Navigating IP and Industry Partnerships
Explore what it takes to move breakthrough research into the real world. Learn from experts as they share insights, pitfalls, and a real case study.
Panelists:
- George Shimizu – Professor of Chemistry, University of Calgary
- Vaidhyanathan Ramanathan – Chief Scientist, Svante
- Adrien Côté – CEO, Existent
- Martin Ciuk – Associate Director, Tech Transfer, Innovate Calgary
- Moderator: Natasha Tippett – Director, Ventures, Creative Destruction Lab-Rockies
Both panels are free and open to UCalgary students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the wider innovation community.